Acts 17:11-12

Acts 17:11-12

[11] These  more noble  than those in  Thessalonica,  in that they  received  the word  with  all  readiness of mind,  and searched  the scriptures  daily,  whether  were  so.  [12] Therefore  many  of  them  believed;  also  of honourable  women  which  were Greeks,  and  of men,  not  a few. 

What does Acts 17:11-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Jews in Berea did not react out of jealousy (cf. Acts 17:5) but listened carefully to what Paul preached and compared it to the teachings of their Hebrew Scriptures. Their example of daily Bible study has inspired Christians ever since to do the same. Anyone who listens to new religious truth would do well to compare it with Scripture, as these Jews did. Many of these noble skeptics believed because Paul"s teaching was consistent with the Old Testament. Here there seem to have been many Jewish converts rather than a few, the usual result of Paul"s preaching. Many Gentiles also believed. Among them were more prominent women (cf. Acts 17:4) as well as men. Sopater, who later travelled with Paul, as did Aristarchus and Secundus, evidently was one of the converts ( Acts 20:4).